Newport has hosted 12 America’s Cups. It is home to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the National Sailing Hall of Fame, and the oldest baseball stadium in America. This Saturday, May 23rd, the City by the Sea adds another chapter to its already remarkable sporting story when AC Newport, the island’s first semi-professional soccer club, takes the pitch at Toppa Field for its home opener against ASC New York. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff. Kids 13 and under get in free.
Last week, I sat down with two of the people steering the new venture; principal Eric Offenberg and team President Heather Ruhsam. What came through, again and again, was a single word: community.
A Long-Brewing Idea, Timed to a Soccer Moment
The concept of bringing a serious soccer club to Newport has been kicking around for years among local figures Cameron Appleton, Ziggy Korytoski (of Newport Neighbors and Aquidneck Island Living), and Thomas Loughborough. The timing of this launch is no accident.
“The timing was intentional around the World Cup coming and the excitement around the sport in the United States,” Offenberg said. “That was the genesis of everything.”
With Ruhsam and Offenberg eventually brought into the fold, the founding group channeled a mindset, for the island, from the island and adopted the same motto adopted by the City in 1641, “Amor Vincit Omnia,” Love Conquers All.
That ethos has shaped everything from the front-office hires to the partnership St. George’s School, where the club practices, to vendors and suppliers they work with. Newport’s Toppa Field will serve as home base for matches.
“Community. Community. Community.”
Ask either of them about the vision for the club and the answer is the same, repeated three times.
“We are looking to create this avenue for the youth on this island to have a place to go,” Offenberg said. “We look at what the Gulls have done, we look at what other groups are doing, and we want to bring more partnerships in. We want to elevate soccer in the local community create a venue where there’s excitement and help support the city as we grow with it.”
Ruhsam, who has watched Newport balance its international reputation with its quieter local identity for over a dozen years, sees soccer as a natural fit for the place.
“Newport is a mix of locals, internationals, visitors, and residents,” she said. “We have the Tennis Hall of Fame, the National Sailing Hall of Fame, the oldest baseball stadium in America. Newport is a hub of athletics, which can sometimes be overlooked because of the City’s history and attraction as a destination. Adding soccer as a sport brings cultures together… and is a value addition to our community.”
That international flavor is built into the roster itself. The squad blends high-school and college standouts, players from other programs around the country, and top-level talent recruited from abroad. The coaching staff is led by a UEFA-licensed head coach, with assistants who bring deep playing and teaching résumés.
“These kids are active, engaged. They’re going to be part of the Newport and Aquidneck Island community,” Offenberg said.
What to Expect on the Pitch
AC Newport competes in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), a national circuit of roughly 70 clubs spread across eight divisions. AC Newport plays in the North Atlantic Conference alongside teams from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. The regular season is short and intense: five home matches, five on the road.
The club’s debut was last Saturday on Long Island against American Soccer Club of New York at Stony Brook University. Saturday’s home opener at Toppa Field is a rematch with the same opponent, a quick chance for Newport fans to see this group in club colors.
The on-field promise, according to Offenberg, is “exciting play, an approachable atmosphere. We’re in the middle of the city, and we want to be available for everyone.”
That accessibility shows up in the matchday experience as well. Tickets are affordable, kids 13 and under are free, players will be out in the community handing out tickets, and a limited line of official merchandise produced by local partner NOSOLO will be available at the gate.
A Local Business Roster as Deep as the Player Roster
For a club barely out of the gate, AC Newport has assembled a remarkable list of local backers. The Pell – JdV by Hyatt anchors the partnership group as jersey sponsor, joined by the SERHANT Ben Willett Team, NOSOLO and the NOSOLO Giveback Foundation, Bloom Bus Lines, Cru Café, Newport Neighbors and Aquidneck Island Living, NPT HealthWorks, Mac Designs, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to local nonprofits.
What Success Looks Like in Year One
For Ruhsam, the scoreboard is only part of the equation.
“Success is having the community accept us and be involved,” she said. “As we do clinics, showcases, and camps, we want to see people there. We are excited see the broader community at the games. We can’t wait to see seats filled, attendance up, and team gear out in the community. We want to give the city a product that they can be proud of, because we are so proud to be part of this community.”
So, Newport: here’s an open invitation to grab the kids, walk down to Toppa Field, and meet your new soccer club. Whether you’ve followed the sport your whole life or you’re just looking for one more good thing to do on a Saturday evening, AC Newport wants you there.
Know When You Go:
AC Newport vs. ASC New York. Home Opener Saturday, May 23, 2026 Toppa Field, Newport (entry along Freebody Street) Gates: 5:30 p.m. Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. Kids 13 and under: Free
Upcoming Home Matches at Toppa Field
- Saturday, May 23, 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 6, 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 13, 6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 24, 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, July 4, 1:00 p.m.
For the full schedule, tickets, and official team merchandise, visit acnewport.com and follow the club on Instagram at @AC_Newport.
